The Variant Team

Our team brings deep investment and operating experience,  working directly with management, investors, and advisors from  the first meeting and due diligence through deal execution and  long-term ownership.

Farhaad Wadia

Managing Partner

Farhaad Wadia

Managing Partner

Farhaad Wadia is the Founder and Managing Partner of Variant, where he oversees all aspects of Variant’s acquisition, operational, and administrative functions. Mr. Wadia is an active participant in the firm’s investment process and the ongoing support of portfolio companies, where he provides strategic oversight and guidance in the negotiation and execution of acquisition, divestiture, and financing transactions, as well as post-close strategic direction for the firm’s investments. In his role, Mr. Wadia also serves as the Chairperson of Variant’s Investment Committee.

Prior to forming Variant in 2017, Mr. Wadia spent over a decade at Platinum Equity, where he was responsible for leading investments in the middle-market. Prior to joining Platinum Equity, Mr. Wadia held roles in portfolio management and investment banking at Bank of America and Houlihan Lokey.

education

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Washington University in St. Louis

Matt Murphy

Vice President

Matt Murphy

Vice President

Matt Murphy is a Vice President at Variant, where he specializes in transaction execution and the sourcing of new investment opportunities. He also provides strategic advisory and monitoring support to Variant’s portfolio companies on a post-closing basis.

Prior to joining Variant, Mr. Murphy worked at Delta Air Lines where he supported the company’s strategic finance and corporate forecasting functions. Previously, he worked as a Private Equity Associate at Leonard Green & Partners. Mr. Murphy began his career in J.P. Morgan’s M&A Group, where he worked on buyside and sellside transactions across a variety of industries.

education

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Georgetown University

Doug McCarthy

Analyst

Doug McCarthy

Analyst

Doug McCarthy is an Analyst at Variant, where he supports transaction execution, financial analysis, and the sourcing of new investment opportunities. He also assists with portfolio company monitoring and post-closing initiatives.

Prior to joining Variant, Mr. McCarthy worked at CriticalPoint where he led intermediary coverage and supported deal origination efforts for the firm’s Buy-Side Advisory team.

education

Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Colby College

Missy Bochatey

Administrative Business Partner

Missy Bochatey

Administrative Business Partner

Missy Bochatey is an Administrative Business Partner at Variant, where she optimizes organizational operations and supports executive leadership. Ms. Bochatey manages complex projects, coordinates strategic initiatives, and ensures seamless execution of day-to-day functions across the firm.

Prior to joining Variant, Ms. Bochatey served as an Executive Assistant to the Chief Financial Officer and the Office of the Chairman at Platinum Equity for nearly a decade.

education

Bachelor of Science in Communication from Ohio University

Mike Sharp

Operating Partner

Mike Sharp

Operating Partner

Mike Sharp is an Operating Partner at Variant, where he participates in the due diligence process for new investment acquisitions, focusing on operational aspects and separation-related activities. During the post-close phase, he works closely with management teams within the portfolio to create strategic plans, ensure effective separation from the parent, and support business transformation.

Prior to joining Variant, Mr. Sharp spent over 15 years in business and technology consulting across high-tech, health care, finance, insurance, manufacturing, and business services. He has specialized in technology and operations due diligence and post-close value creation for private equity funds in the middle market.

education

Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Southern Methodist University

Brian Vargo

Operating Partner

Brian Vargo

Operating Partner

Brian Vargo is an Operating Partner at Variant, where he focuses on post-acquisition integration and optimization. Mr. Vargo serves as an advisor to Variant’s portfolio companies, assisting management in technical, financial and accounting issues, process improvements, and system implementations as well as ongoing operational support.

Prior to joining Variant, he spent six years at Riveron Consulting providing business transformation and accounting advisory services to both public and private equity owned companies. Prior to Riveron, Mr. Vargo held various finance and accounting leadership roles for organizations across a variety of industries including software, logistics, and professional services.

education

Bachelor of Business Administration from Illinois State University

Cory Willis

Operating Partner

Cory Willis

Operating Partner

Cory Willis is an Operating Partner at Variant, where he assists the firm’s portfolio companies and their management teams in creating lasting value through organic growth and disciplined fiscal management.

Prior to joining Variant, Mr. Willis held executive and senior operating roles spanning publicly traded, privately held, and private equity sponsored companies based in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Mr. Willis has over 25 years of experience in infrastructure, logistics, and technology investment operations. Earlier in his career, he worked for Goldman Sachs, focused on its infrastructure investment operations.

education

Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas A&M University